Definitions of Communication
1. Communication is the transmission of some physical thing through some physical medium.
Examples:
“The vibration was communicated through the metal.”
“Trains are still an important means for communicating goods throughout the United States.”
“Isn’t it remarkable that computers can communicate bits of information to one another
wirelessly?”
2. Communication is the uncontrollable emission of information, via physical signs (or,
signals), about the source of the emissions. When speaking of a person as a source, the
information emitted about them is their traits and/or mental, physical or social states. (The
term trait is used here to refer to long-term or permanent characteristics—e.g., a person’s IQ,
natural hair color or optimism. The term state is used to refer to more fleeting
characteristics—e.g., itchiness, sleepiness, relative status.)
Examples:
“Her clothes communicated a lot of confidence.”
“The lionfish’s bright coloring communicates its poisonous nature.”
“Though he didn’t realize it, his crossed arms communicated his discomfort with the
situation.”
3. Communication is the conscious act of expressing one’s thoughts, beliefs, desires and other
mental contents. In this sense of the term, the commission of the act of communication does
not depend on its reception by a recipient; rather, it depends entirely on the actions of the
communicator.
Examples:
“He communicated his displeasure through both his words and his actions.”
“I did not communicate those opinions despite what he claims.”
“Through her address, she communicated so much more than what words alone could
express.”
“The speaker brilliantly communicated his thoughts in his address, but the downed
transmission tower meant that no one received the broadcast.
4. Communication is the act of consciously producing meaningful messages that are successful
in producing an understanding of what the sender is trying to express—his or her thoughts,
beliefs, attitudes, desires, etc. Understood in this way, communication is what J. L. Austin
would call a perlocutionary act—an act defined in terms of its consequences. (Other
examples of perlocutionary acts include the acts of persuading, convincing, scaring,
enlightening, inspiring.)
Example:
“I thought I had communicated my ideas to him, but he acted as though he had no idea what I
thought about the matter.”
5. A communication is a physical signal that a sender intends to transmit to a receiver in order
to transmit their thoughts, feelings, desires and other mental contents.
Examples:
“I received his communication, but was so mad at him that I threw it away before reading it.”
“I meant to send him the communication, but didn’t know how to address it.”
6. Communication is a type of social activity during which the participants disclose their
feelings in order to understand (or empathize with) one another. (Note that this sense of
understanding is quite different than the sense used in the prior definition of communication.)
Examples:
Said by Oprah to a squabbling couple on her show: “You need to communicate.”
(Pronunciation note: when communication is spoken in this sense, the second syllable is often
emphasized and lengthened.)
7. Communication is a state that two or more people are in when they regularly transmit
communications to one another. (Note that, at least in Western culture, this social state is
associated with relationships of friendship, though also with the wide range of
acquaintanceships and perhaps other kinds of relationships.)
Examples:
“I don’t know what Eddie is doing anymore; we’re not in communication anymore.”